If a guy was to replace the complete bedsides, how much of it gets replaced? Is it just the outer skin? And has any body come up with a good way to repair the bed where it cracks by the tailgate? I know people have welded them only to have them crack again right next to the weld. In a perfect world I would love to just replace it, but around here highboy beds aren't easy to come by.

Is there a difference in Highboy beds and standard beds?? I wouldn't think there was...

The only difference in highboy beds vs the rest is the mounting holes are narrower in the highboy beds. You can use any bed (except some camper special beds that have the spare tire in the passenger side), all you have to do is drill new holes.

AFA, the bedsides, you can either replace the entire bedside that includes the outer skin and inner skin as a complete piece, or just replace the outer skin. I have never done this though. It's much easier to find a good bed and probably cheaper. Just depends on how much is wrong with your bed. Many used beds in junkyards have at least some good repair panels.

I had thought about that but was worried that the bolt holes would be close enough togeather that they my crack between holes.

There is a good couple inches between the holes, and cracking will not be an issue.

Thanks guys! That will get me on my way much quicker. I know where one bed is at and can probably find more.

I drilled out my holes with a holesaw and then placed a piece of small pipe to use as a reinforcement so when I tighten down the bolts, the bed floor doesn't start to bend and later the bolts don't pull through the bed. I had the inside of the bed rhinolined so I'm hoping that the bolts I use will grab enough with an impact that they won't spin because I never made the "square" for the carriage bolts. Also, hopefully I measured right.

aw look at the cute little bead...
lol sorry i thought that was funny...
I like the pipe idea.... Rep for it!

truckin4life said:

aw look at the cute little bead...

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lol hilarious

BTW, nice find on the bed. That floor looks pretty straight.

Dont mean to hi-jack but what part of SW WA state are you from cipsmithers?

Kelso. About 30 miles north of vancouver on I-5. Near longview. Why?

cipsmithers said:

Kelso. About 30 miles north of vancouver on I-5. Near longview. Why?

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I used to live in Centralia lol

I think NPD still has some NOS Ford bedside panels with inner and outer skin. I think they only have the LH side and are sold out of the RH side?

TexasRho83 said:

I used to live in Centralia lol

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Yeah they just flooded hardcore a couple weeks ago, along with the entire area

cipsmithers said:

Yeah they just flooded hardcore a couple weeks ago, along with the entire area

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Yep my mom still lives there and was totally ruined from the first flood last year. She now lives in Chehalis and was spared this second time...